Hosting Infection: Experimental Models to Assay<i>Candida</i>Virulence

Although normally commensals in humans,Candida albicans,Candida tropicalis,Candida parapsilosis,Candida glabrata,andCandida kruseiare capable of causing opportunistic infections in individuals with altered physiological and/or immunological responses. These fungal species are linked with a variety of infections, including oral, vaginal, gastrointestinal, and systemic infections, withC. albicansthe major cause of infection. To assess the ability of differentCandidaspecies and strains to cause infection and disease requires the use of experimental infection models. This paper discusses the mucosal and systemic models of infection available to assayCandidavirulence and gives examples of some of the knowledge that has been gained to date from these models.